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i 



A PAIKPHLBT, 

Showing how easily the wand of a Magician may be broken, and 
that, if Amos Kendall can manage the United States Mail well, 
a female of the United States can manage him better ; also, that 
if shinplasters be good for shins, they are good for nothing else ; 
and that JV. Biddle alone can give a quietus to Bentonian tinker- 



ism. 



Since the general can't make me queen, 
He is too aged for me to marry, 
./ I disdain close-fisted Van, the mean, 

And turn my muse to gallant Harry. 



To His Excellency, Martin Van Buren : 

Sir: When I called on you this morning, with much reluctance, 
at the request of some of my friends of distinction, it was not with 
the vain expectation of receiving from your cold-hearted, close- 
fisted hand, any remuneration for the unwearied zeal I had always 
manifested for the present administration. No, sir; true patriotism 
has had its reward. I had the pleasure of seeing Col. Johnson, 
Vice President of the United States — a man who is all heart, all 
soul, and truly a man of the people; one who in point of justice, 
ought to have succeeded Gen. Jackson, who was equal, and not 
surpassed by any other man. I cannot see how any man can 
claim such a high distinction as you aspire to, who has not dis- 
tinguished himself in the field as well as the cabinet, with the 
exception of Mr. Clay, who is one amongst the most talented men 
in the United States, and a perfect gentleman in every sense of the 
word. Had I been as well acquainted with the generous and mag- 
nanimous spirit of the present Vice President, when I made my 
remarks in what Gen. Jackson termed my administration letter, I 
would have done him as much justice as the pen of a lady could 
have who had any influence. Four years, sir, is a short term ; 
ten months has already expired : a man who could assume such a 
high tone of authority, as to say, a people were groaning under 
their difficulties in consequence of the influence that the government 
has had on the bank, and which has spread its baneful effects 
throughout the United States; they are inclined to expect too much 
from government. 

The people would like to know to what other source they are to 
look, except to the government, for redress. A high tone of usur- 
pation might be tolerated in an aristocratic government, but it will 
1 



2 

not be submitted to by an enlightened, intelligent and republican 
people, who have it in their power to elevate a man for one short 
term, and remove him at their pleasure. No, sir, I called on you 
to give you an opportunity to remove the unfavorable impression 
you left on my mind six months past, when you were so generous 
as to present me with one dollar for a publication of mine I left 
with you. Though I observed to you, that I was indebted to an 
editor thirty-six dollars for those administration letters I had circu- 
lated, perhaps ten thousand ; travelled several hundreds of miles — 
paid rav own expenses — gave away one half where I thought, they 
would be instrumental in promoting the present administration. 
Your remark was, " Miss Kenney, we must keep dark on that sub- 
ject," so still, I suppose sir, that you never wished your ears to be 
molested by a second application ; but sir, I drew a different infer- 
ence from the one you intended to convey, by letting you know I 
expected it at some future time, and your hint was intended that it 
should not be known for fear it might be thought you had engaged 
me to electioneer for you, but remuneration was the farthest thing 
from your intention. I am indebted to Gen. Jackson and Col. 
Johnson, and the united patronage of the honorable Whigs from 
whom 1 have had one thousand dollars for my sake, as they have 
observed ; and said, if you possessed one spark of Gen. Jackson 
and Col. Johnson's generosity, you would return the same to me 
which I spent in endeavoring to promote your elevation. It was 
further observed to me, by some members of Congress, to ask you 
if the Vice President could present me, from time to time, with a 
check upon the bank, without the necessary caution you gave me, 
that " we must keep still on the subject," when he was only nomi- 
nated for the Vice Presidency, with only $5,000 a year : what ought 
I to expect from the President with his $25,000 a year? General 
Jackson once observed to me, at his own table, in the presence of 
several of his corrupt cabinet, which had he known, he would have 
frowned them from his presence ; and by one of his honest and 
dauntless looks, would have turned them to a piece of petrifaction, 
that money matters from Van Buren could not compensate me for 
what I had said and carried out in my administration letters, as he 
was pleased to term them, and you have compensated me sir, by the 
presentation of a contemptible shin-plaster which I left on your table. 
I hope you found and appropriated it to some other purpose. I 
would not have you think, sir, that money was my greatest object. 
No, sir, I was influenced by a higher motive, for never was a heart 
more influenced by patriotism than I possess; but circumstanced 
as I was, I could not have displayed it, but with the generosity of 
the President, Vice President, and honorable Whigs, who I have 
just found to be the only men, (with the exception of the Vice 
President,) who carry out the democratic principles enacted in '98, 
by Mr. Jefferson. I have had an opportunity of hearing the public 
opinion respecting the candidates for the next presidency ; and it 



is with pleasure I find that the Vice President has by far the best 
chance. Gen. Jackson once observed to me, that Col. Johnson 
would be our next president ; and why should not his predictions 
be verified in his'case as well as yours. God grant that he may 
live to see that glorious day, and I may live to participate with 
him. I can say with truth and pleasure, in the course of several 
thousand miles I have travelled to promote the present administra- 
tion, I never had the misfortune to make an enemy of the honorable 
Whiffs, though often urned to abandon the administration and unite 
with them : but I was not. to be bought at any price. It was 
observed to me in Philadelphia, at the last election, by your ene- 
mies, who I assure you are as numerous as the sand upon the 
sea shore, that you ought to pay the publication of those adminis- 
tration letters, and give me $500 a year to defray my travelling 
expenses, which I observed to Gen. Jackson before the last Con- 
gress that he presided over. His reply was, that as soon as Van 
Buren took his seat, it should be done, and it has been done by 
Van Buren by the presentation of one dollar. The whigs further 
remarked in Philadelphia, that Van Buren was the author of those 
letters I circulated; himself and his policy suggested to him to pass 
them off on the whigs through the hands of a lady of my persever- 
ance. Such was their influence. I now give up forever the 
interest of a man who could refuse to comply with so small a 
request as thirty-six dollars, and the first I ever made to him. 
Though I had spent a thousand dollars, received from the honorable 
whigs, to promote his interest ; and whether I was instrumental or 
not in doing so, my intentions were good, and while Gen. Jackson 
Jives, and Col. Johnson is a candidate for the next presidency, they 
will not lose sight of my republican principles : but I will discard 
close fisted Van the mean, and turn my muse to gallant Harry. I am 
pleased to find that the Vice President appears to be the people's 
choice. Gen. Jackson's penetration fails not. I hope he will live 
to give him his influence as he gave you his, which was the only 
step-stone you had to the presidency. Yes, sir, a man who has 
fought and bled for his country — a man who can present his honor- 
able scars, which will make a stronger appeal to the feelings of 
every man who possesses a spark of patriotism, than all your 
lengthy and sophisticated messages you have had the honor to pre- 
sent to congress. Yes, sir, the battle of the Thames, in which Col. 
Johnson was conspicuous, will be brought before the public, and 

The freedom won on battle's plain, 
The hero Johnson will maintain, 

He still is in the field ; 
The people's good he has in view, 
And to their cause will still be true, 

One inch he will not yield. 

Then to the man who gallant, brave, 
His country volunteeied to save, 
Spontaneous honors give ; 



While party warmth and zeal will cease, 
His unsought praises will increase, 
His fame through time shall live. 

Yes, sir, I pronounce in the spirit and unwavering decision of 
Gen. Jackson, his fame will survive all things, except the wreck of 
nature, and the crash of worlds. 

LUCY KENNEY. 

Then will Amos Kendall experience a change, when he finds 
himself hurled from his gigantic height, to a level which he had 
with the people, before he got into office by flattering Gen. Jackson, 
which was the only recommendation he had in his favor; but if 
the General had had the least suspicion of the principles of those 
sycophants by whom he was surrounded, he would have frowned 
them from his presence. I applied to Amos Kendall, and sent him 
the Vice President's letter of general introduction, when I intended 
to go to the hermitage, to have the pleasure of seeing once more 
the greatest man of the present day, and while memory holds her 
empire over my mind, will always stand pre-eminent over other 
men. I applied to Kendall for a few lines of general introduction 
to the principal contractors on the mail line to Nashville, which 
would have saved me considerable expense, without costing him 
one cent ; he sent me word, through his servant, he could not 
comply with my request, and sent me the Vice President's letter 
without any comment on it. It is well he did not deliver his 
refusal in person; perhaps I would have made a remark which 
would have been very grating to his feelings, if he has any but 
what is engaged in his ambition: how dreadful will it be for those 
men who have monopolized and held the reins so long, that their 
heads as well as hearts have been bewildered, and every feeling 
involved, save that which affects their own interest, to relinquish 
their office, and see it transferred to those they have kept at a 
distance, who are so much their superiors in point of talents and 
generosity. I have been informed by the highest authority, that 
one of Mr. Kendall's means by which he kept in high repute with 
the General, and kept the Post Office in such a prosperous condi- 
tion, was by making no allowance with the different contractors 
who live in that section of the country which is subject to inunda- 
tions, which are calculated to retard the facility of the mail, in 
laying as heavy a fine and as frequent as his uncharitable heart 
would admit ; and by that means retained the greater part of the 
contract in the possession of the Post Office, which went to the 
benefit of the general government ; but, honest Amos, this is not 
fair, and for which you will not have to relinquish your high post of 
honor and interest, which is paramount to every other consideration 
with you; but you will have to stand before the judge of quick and 
dead, and give a stricter account than «you ever gave to General 
Jackson, for wishing poor men, who have families to support 



through their honest exertions, to travel through high and low 
waters, at the risk of their lives, while you sit in your splendid 
room at your fire side, pen in hand, while those who hold the reins, 
not such reins as you govern the people with, and receive ex- 
travagant salaries, which enable you to live in pampered ease; but 
I doubt, if your conscience is not seared with a hot iron, if it will 
permit you to have that peace which the world, with all its delusive 
charms, can neither give nor take away. I think the case of the 
rich man in the gospel, and that of the beggar who laid at his 
gates, will be your situation in the next world, if you do not repent 
and do over your first seal from which you have so sadly departed. 
I think the parable of the man who sowed the good seed in stony 
ground, which soon sprung up, and promised a good harvest, but 
as soon as the sun arose it withered for the want of depth, and dis- 
appointed the expectation of a crop. The parable is a good illus- 
tration of your case. You once made a goodly profession, and 
perhaps was sincere — but your expected elevation — the love of 
the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, has made you fall from 
the faith you once manifested ; but there still is time and space 
given you to return to the bishop and shepherd, and perhaps you 
may get into the fold before it is too late. The first thing I would 
recommend to you to obtain so desirable an end, is to render to 
those contractors over which you have exercised unlimited control, 
their full amount of contract which they so justly merit, and render 
unto government what is due to government, and not reserve all 
your sympathy for the public coffers, which are pressed full in 
order to swell the Treasury and pamper the office-holders, rather 
than let those men have their just due, in case of the failure of a 
few hours with the mail, when common sense ought to convince 
you it is their interest to be in time with the mail. I again recom- 
mend to you to render to the contractors what is due them, and 
government what is due to government, without regard to its 
frowns or its favors. Our Saviour told those hypocritical Scribes 
and Pharisees, who endeavored to entrap him, by asking him if it 
was lawful to render to Caesar tribute ; his reply was, render unto 
Caesar those things that are Caesar's, and to God that are God's. 
I would recommend to you, to observe the same golden rule of 
doing unto others as you would have them to do unto you, and to love 
the Lord with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself, which 
constitutes the whole duty of man. And not withhold from those 
men who justly deserve the full amount of their contract, and you 
will not let any small failure on their part subject them to fines by 
which the greater part of the contract is lost to them. It is an old 
adage, and a true one, that honesty is the best policy. I, hope you 
will excuse those facts that I have presumed to offer to your wise 
consideration, and improve upon them. I assure you, if General 
Jackson would have exercised his judgment, independent of his 
prejudice in favor of you, you would have stood no higher with 



him than you do now with the public. I am in hopes before the 
new General Post Office is completed, that we shall have a man 
more just than you are, to preside at the head of affairs. I hope 
and trust he will be an honorable whig who will do justice to both 
saint and sinner. 

Now, as it regards the Banking system, whether or not there 
should be a recharter of the United States Bank, I would say that 
the experiment has given us sufficient proof of its utility. That the 
intercourse can never be carried on without such a bank, is obvi- 
ous. People may vaunt about Lycurgus, the great law giver, and 
bring up his iron money as a proof that there should be nothing 
but gold and silver. But his being an iron age, and this being one 
of gold, of course there can be no comparison between them. In 
his days, if a person wished to buy pair of half hose, he had to carry 
an anvil on his shoulder to pay for it. Those were glorious times 
for the dyspepsia, but not for a metallic currency. 

I once knew an old man who had several sons, and wherever 
he went they were always under his dominion, and enjoyed the 
blessing of prosperity ; for they rested confidingly under the shadow 
of his wings, and had nothing to fear. At last, about the time that 
his sons arrived at age,, he was suddenly cut off by the hand of an 
assassin ; and from that moment the children on whom he had 
bestowed his fondest hopes, began to squander his property and 
come to eternal destruction. 

Now this is the very condition of the father of banks. And as 
the old man upon his dying bed, called his sons around him, to con- 
fer upon them his last blessings; so now the father of banks may 
call upon all the little banks, and say to them, my children remem- 
ber your old father is dying — he will soon be no more ! and before 
he leaves you finally, he will say, beware of a spurious generation. 
I am the last of the noble Romans — there will be no Rienzi after 
me— the Nile of shin-plasters will soon come upon you, like the 
Goths and Vandals upon Rome, and sweep you away with the 
flood of desolation ! 

Now as the old man's sons went to destruction as soon as their 
old father did, so will the young banks as the old one dies, which 
we have no reason to fear will ever be from the present prospect 
of affairs. The honourable Whigs having got a majority in the 
House, Van Buren Will, as he has already lowered in his tone, 
agree to go with them : but perhaps he waits to hear from his 
master, General Jackson, and get his permission. No doubt he 
wrote his inaugural address under the General's eye, and by his 
direction — the General having sworn him in, or else he would 
never have had his influence. By that means he has left no door for 
him to come out at unless the General opens it. 

It was fortunate for the country that Van Buren called Congress 
together the 1st of September, to which he had the honour of 
addressing his first message, which was of such a nature that it 



created general disgust with his enemies, and a general falling off 
with his friends. Had not the people been acquainted with it 
before the New York election, perhaps he-might have saved him- 
self in that State. Of course good will come out of evil- — it served 
to open the eyes of the people. He further observed in his 
inaugural address, to carry out the principles of his illustrious 
predecessor, or General Jackson ; perhaps he wrote that sentence 
under the General's immediate eye and direction, from which he 
is afraid to recant, knowing the General's disposition, lest he should 
come and turn him out of his White House. Had his sentiments been 
known six months before his address, he would never have had the 
honor of delivering one. He further observed in his message, that 
his sentiments in regard to the United States Bank were well known 
to the people before they elevated him to the two high offices 
which he has held, which was a wrong statement of the case. The 
people's impression w r as, that he never would have hesitated a 
moment in regard to the recharter of the Bank, which certainly is 
one of the best institutions in the United States. I did not always 
think so favorably of the Bank, as the General had put his veto on 
it, and said he had numbered its days and of course it must die ; 
but the present distress of the country in consequence of the re- 
moval of the deposites, and those deposite Banks failing to pay 
specie according to the General's promise, that the country should 
have a hard currency, which is not the case. I think if the General 
had presided over the government when the great failure of his 
scheme became apparent, he would not have called Congress 
together at that unseasonable time, but would have taken the whole 
responsibility on himself, and have made the yellow boys which he 
is fond of, hop out of the Bank. It would have been well for Mr. 
Van Buren, had he displayed some of Mr. Webster's judgment in 
his speech on the currency, which has given universal satisfaction; 
there has been many thousand of them circulated — they will have 
great influence with the public in regard to his election, if he should 
think proper to be brought before the people, and as far as I can 
judge there is no man more fit than himself. A change would be 
for the better, no doubt, let it come from what source it will. One 
thing is certain that we shall have an honorable Whig for our 
President, whether it be Mr. Webster or Mr. Clay ; I know not 
but I prefer Mr. Clay, he is the most honorable and gentlemanly 
man, in both public and private life, that I have the honor of being 
acquainted with, and one whose talents stand pre-eminent above 
all others. 

The other party have monopolized a sufficient length of time 
to become obnoxious to the people, and we look forward to a 
change as a most desirable event. 

In my last remarks on the abolition question, I thought I had ex- 
hausted all the information I could give to the public, but the unusua! 
excitement the question has produced in Congress at this session, 



8 

makes it necessary tor me to extend my remarks still further; it 
being a subject in its own nature, so destructive to the peace and 
prosperity of the country, that I find it a difficult matter to follow 
it in all its different bearings ; but fortunately for those who were so 
much opposed to it, we have such able defenders in the person of 
Mr. Wise, of Va., and different Southern members of distinction ; 
men of splendid and prominent talent, and from the disaffection they 
have manifested towards it by leaving the Senate chamber during 
the discussion of the subject, and threatened a separation from the 
Union: however, peace was restored once more, and the members 
have resumed their seats, with the fuil assurance, it will never be 
canvassed again in the House, and that all such petitions will not 
be suffered to be read, but permitted to be laid on the table un- 
noticed. I think John Quincy Adams and Mr. Slade have received 
their death blow, which they justly merited. It is a matter of as- 
tonishment and regret, and cannot be attributed to any thing but 
a derangement of his mental faculties — a man who has lost sight of 
himself and his own dignity, descend so low, after being once 
President of the United States, to disgrace himself so far as to be 
engaged in the abolition question, which he nor his colleague can 
never live to see accomplished : it is true the old man has his seat 
on the floor, where the talents of the United States concentrate; 
but for a man of his years to be called to order by every young 
man, whom his constituents may be pleased to send. I recommend 
to the old man to retire from all public office, and devote the rem- 
nant of his days, in making peace with his Maker, which he has 
so grievously offended, and by that means make some atonement 
for wishing to disseminate and establish so pernicious a principle 
as abolition, in the District of Columbia, or any other District. 

Mr. Van Buren thought proper to lecture Congress on the consti- 
tutional law, and gravely tells the people that a Bank of the United 
States would be unconstitutional ; he would like to persuade the 
people that the Constitution was not safe but in his own keeping — 
that he is afraid to trust it in the hands of the Representatives of 
the People. Though much blood has been shed by fanaticism, under 
the pretext of serving the cause of religion, how much usurpation and 
tryanny have been practised under the pretence of saving the Consti- 
tution and saving the People? Let history answer. Who is this 
mighty expounder of the Constitution 1 Is he the venerable and glo- 
rious man who presided over the deliberation of the convention that 
framed that sacred instrument 1 Or is he that wise and distinguished 
individual, whose pen gave it form and proportion ? No, he is not; he 
is Martin Van Buren, the same man who informed the nation in his 
inaugural address, that he was the first President elected, who had 
not participated in the patriotic struggles of the revolution, who 
thinks proper to say for the information of the people, or rather for 
the ladies present, that he was born long since those ancient days. 
He is the first and principle chief of the expounders of the Constitu- 



9 

tion, and Amos Kendal, another officer of the law, not of the Consti- 
tution, has the temerity to say that he is a limb also — a right arm 
I suppose of Mr. Van Buren. It is high time for the dignity of the 
nation to frown down such usurpation. It was observed by a 
Virginia gentleman, that he considered Mr. Jefferson the polar 
star that directed his course. Suppose we draw from imagination 
and examine it by the test of real life : will a traveller always keep 
his eye on the polar star 1 If he should keep his gaze continually 
that way, he would soon find himself with the white bear and wander- 
ing Indians, and no other living thing about him. Will the prudent and 
skilful mariner look alone at the North star in directing his vessel 
over the trackless ocean? At times he is forced to look to other 
and less beautiful luminaries, and finds them equally true and useful 
astronomy, and navigation teaches him to point his glass at times, 
to all the bright stars in the zodiac, and the power of human reason 
makes them subservient to its control. So I think the practical 
American statesman should view every star in the firmament, or to 
quote the figure, should read all that has been written by the wise 
and the good, and then dare to think for himself. When Mr. 
Jefferson embarked in the glorious cause of the revolution, did he 
take Locke or Milton, as a text book ? He read deeply all that 
the patriots had written — he read deeply the volumes of human 
nature, and then dipped his pen into his own mind, and then wrote 
the immortal Declaration of Independence; he had no model — 
daring to think for, and act for himself; he made himself great for 
himself. Mr. Jefferson doubted before the United States Bank 
was established, whether it was constitutional or not, but he did not 
advise General Washington to put his veto on it; he cautioned him 
against using the veto ; he urged him to respect the Representa- 
tives of the People. He says it must be added, however, that unless 
the President's mind on the subjects which may be argued for or 
against this bill, is quite clear, that it is unauthorized by the Consti- 
tution. If the pro and con, hang so even as to balance his judg- 
ment ; a just respect for the wisdom of the Legislature, would 
naturally desire the balance in favor of their opinions ; such is the 
language of a greater mind. I wish his modern friend, who is so 
often quoting Mr. Jefferson, was capable of appreciating those 
glorious sentiments. — Mr. Van Buren is true to the task ; he pledged 
himself to carry out the principles of General Jackson : so far he 
may think he is bound to do, from gratitude due from him to the 
General ; but he must not confine himself alone to carrying out his 
political principles. Let him go the whole hog — let him carry out 
the General's private and domestic principles, for which, next to 
the General's military fame, he stands so eminently conspicuous. 
There is no one who can bear more ample testimony to the Gene- 
ral's unlimited generosity than myself. I am willing to risk all my 
prosperity and literary fame, (if I have been so fortunate as to ac- 
quire any,) to General Jackson's patronage, for which he will 
2 



10 

always claim my heart's best gratitude, and whose valuable Iile, 
though far advanced, I hope in God, may be prolonged for many 
years, and that his mind may continue to retain to the last hour of 
his earthly existence unimpaired : such is the sincere affection of a 
grateful heart. But I cannot consider myself under the least obli- 
gation to cold-hearted, close-fisted, Van Buren, and blind to his 
falling so far beneath the principles of his illustrious predecessors — a 
man, (if I was to judge the fruit by the tree,) who does not possess 
a soul as large as an emmet's eye: so much for my opinion of Van 
Buren. 

When I take a retrospective view of our once prosperous and 
happy country, as far back as the administration of the immortal 
Jefferson, I am constrained to say, what has produced this change? 
Then this land was the envied spot of liberty and honor ; then I 
could compare it to a beautiful rich luxuriant garden ; he the parent 
guardian, as it were, over a healthy, patriotic and independent nation, 
whose sons and daughters, strong in intellect, firm in purpose, in- 
defatigable in exertion, to attain the pre-eminence in science, agri- 
culture and commerce, over every nation; and to soar like the 
eagle in triumph, proud of its own native plumage; who in every 
struggle with the British lion never lost a plume, when it roared 
and howled for victory, as its polluted foot stained our peaceful land, 
and prowled along our unprotected borders. Little did the grim 
monster think, that the free born sons of America were able to 
drive him howling back to his tryants cavern, and gain for this 
garden spot, laurels and a name, to which tryants must bow and 
tremble. And now, shall we submit to a tryant at home, to 
wield a sceptre of iron over a people, long accustomed to be govern- 
ed with reins of mercy and justice, one country, one interest, 
one constitution. 

This is their unalienable right, the people bought it with blood, 
their own life's blood, the genuine blood of patriots and freemen , 
their wealth, their life, was set at naught; the partner of their 
bosoms, their young and beloved offspring, were resigned to the 
battle field, when their rights became invaded, and but one feeling 
beat high in every breast, victory or death ; it was not the wealthy, 
the talented, the influential alone, that gained for himself, honor 
and unfading wreaths of victory, achieved by the hand of valor, 
and embalmed by a grateful country. No, it was the poor, the 
honest tar, the brave, uncompromising soldier, who planted his flag, 
bold and firm on American soil, there to wave free and independent 
over all nations, or perish beneath its folds. It still floats in triumph 
at home, by land and by sea, and defies the usurper at home, or 
tryants abroad. It was the poor man, the laboring man, whom Mr. 
Van Buren despises. He is not the poor man's friend. We do 
not want his tongue to express it in such plain words — his mea- 
sures prove that fact beyond contradiction. 

Yes, it was the poor of the once happy land, that resigned all, 



11 

and flew to their country's rescue, that fought like men contending 
for their dearest right. They fought not for wealth, they fought 
not to be elevated on ambitions dizzy height, they fought not for 
the Treasury of these United Stated, to hold it with a tryants iron 
grasp, to buy menial sycophants, to put his shoulder to the Wheel, and 
move on his chariot of ambition, avarice and pride ; (such is Martin 
Van Buren, who now holds the reins of government.) No, the poor 
man fought for his home, his own dear fire-side, his bread earned 
by the sweat of his brow; he fought for his country, his own, his native 
soil ; he is the man that deserves well of his country, and his deeds 
written on the hearts of his countrymen, will be handed from gene- 
ration to generation, when Van Buren and his corrupt measures 
will return to empty nothing from whence he sprung. Oh ! that 1 
may live to see the day that every honest patriot may sound the 
trumpet, that it may be heard, and echo through all the land ; 
(hurl the proud usurper down; and if we can do no better, give us 
an honest Whig, a man after Washington and Jefferson's own 
heart; true to his country, true to the people's interests, the people's 
interests and prospects are identified with their country : you cannot 
separate them, they are bound together with chains of adamant : 
you had as well pretend to weaken the tie between parent and 
child, as to separate the Government from the People with impunity. 
The heart that first suggested this measure, which was brought 
forward in Mr. Van Buren's message to Congress, the extra session, 
is like that obnoxious reptile, which never permits its victim to know 
its object till it coils itself up, and in an instant infuses its deadly 
poison through his whole frame ; and he who a few moments before, 
was healthy and happy, is now a mass of poison and corruption, 
writhing under the venom of a serpent's sting. So with this healthy, 
happy nation ; its enterprising sons, were with each other in agri- 
culture, commerce, and every art and science, the expanding mind 
of man could produce ; which like a rich mine, only needs industry, 
energy, and perseverance, to exhibit to the world its invaluable 
treasures, generous enterprise, and invention. The sons of America 
are like the stars in the firmament, as one passes away, it only 
gives place to another, yet more brilliant, to charm and fill the be- 
holder with admiration. And since you, Mr. Van Buren, have as- 
cended the chariot of State — you have passed along like the gale 
from the Upas tree — you have poisoned, and laid waste, genius, 
commerce, enterprise, agriculture, and every thing that was noble, 
and calculated to improve and elevate this rising nation— you have 
crushed and withered by your hateful measures and policy, every 
opening bud of genius, and even shook the firm and unbending oak. I 
would tell you, though a female, I have a mind that goes a little 
beyond what shall I eat, and even wherewithal! be clothed. Thank 
God, I do not belong to that class of poor, mean, selfish mortals; 
their minds are too narrow arid contracted, I believe, to shelter a 
dove from a pelting shower storm. They can wrap themselves in 



\% 

their light gown, and enjoy all the comforts of this land, flowing 
with milk and honey, and their neighbor bear the heat and burden 
of the day ; they are tories at heart, and wrapt up in self — they 
only stick here for the fat of the land, when they ought to be at 
home in their dear England, and feed on the husks that fall from 
their sovereign's table; and take all the slaves with them, whose 
freedom they are so anxious to obtain. 

I have digressed from my subject to you ; (a word to the wise 
is always in season.) I would ask you, what is it you want? In 
your two messages to Congress, you proposed an everlasting sepa- 
ration of all banks and the Government. Alas ! a separation of the 
Government, and the interest of the People — for surely, whatever 
promotes the interest and prosperity of the people, and facilitates 
their business transactions, should be protected and guarded by the 
Government. Do the People support the Government, or the Go- 
vernment the People 1 Yes, it is a truth, I blush to own it, that Go- 
vernment does support a few, to the exclusion of the interest and 
rights of the whole. That favored few are to receive for their 
services, Benton's yellow gold. I am disposed to think, he will be 
glad to pocket a shinplaster, ere may moons have revolved their 
course. You are the author of them, and I think it right you should 
cherish the work of your own hand, with your name on the stamp, 
till more portentous clouds of adverse circumstances — those dark 
and trying changes of sorrow and joy, that man is heir to, pass 
away, and peace, union, and prosperity throw around their invigora- 
ting and healthy influence of union, confidence, and love. So it is 
with a Government when it possesses the confidence of the peeplo — 
when they can look in time of commercial distress, (for every 
scheme of man is liable to fail, even they are not rag barons, as 
your trumpeter, the Globe is pleased to term the merchants of New 
York,) on any misfortune or evil that is passing over our once 
happy land, with one dark sweep of desolaiion, distress, and 
wretchedness. The Government is bound by the Union to the people, 
to stretch forth the saving hand of mercy and charity ; but alas! 
I fear those heaven-born attributes are strangers to Mr. Van 
Buren. How can we expect lenity and mercy from the hired 
menials, when such a turn-coat rabble occupies the chair of State? 
When his mandate goes forth — forthwith it becomes a law. What 
has elevated you to rule over an enterprising, free, enlightened, and 
independent People ? Where are your laurels gained in battle-field? 
Where is the spot that witnessed the strength and valor of your arms? 
Where are the trophies of your greatness, the escutcheon of your 
valor ? Where is your wreath of laurels, gained on the field of 
slaughter, carnage, blood, and death, like those won by many a 
gallant hero of our land, whose course was like a brilliant light in 
the heavens, which swiftly passes away, and leaves the beholders 
in admiration and wonder? They have gained a halo of glory, a 
wreath of laurels, which will remain forever green, to bud and 
blossom, till time shall be no more. Yes, thev are entwined around 



13 

our flag of liberty, that never struck to an overpowering foe — they 
are interwoven with our Constitution of the Union, and equal rights. 
Yes, their memories and name are engraved on our flag by the 
hand of a grateful country ! Yes, that flag, firmly planted by our 
forefathers on liberty's free and happy soil, will wave untarnished 
throughout our Union, and fondly bear, to earth's remotest shore, 
the history of victories gained ; like stars in the heavens, glitter 
upon its waving folds, and like the beautiful rain-bow, unclouded 
by every passing sphere which gives softness to every shade and 
hue ; so the flag, the wonder and admiration of the universe, is 
embalmed with the tears of the fatherless and folorn widows, who 
have often been driven by a cruel and savage foe, from their homes, 
their children, and their all, with their lives in peril — to shelter in 
dark midnight cavern. Where then was he, who is now elevated 
to the pinnacle of power, his ambitious soul panteth for ? But Van 
Buren cares for none of these things — he is not the poor man's 
friend. What is it you are so opposed to in the banking system? 
You say in your message to Congress that it is a fluctuating currency, 
subject to expansion, and contraction ; and consequently, the Go- 
vernment suffers loss and embarrassment. So, it does not matter 
what the sufferings and loss of the people are, so the Government 
and its man-servants and maid-servants, are not made to feel the 
effects of this fluctuating currency, as you are pleased to term it. 
And this over-trading, which seems to be such a thorn in the Go- 
vernment's side, and when their schemes of commerce and en- 
terprise are thwarted, and disappointment threatens a wreck, they 
look too much to Government for sympathy and support. Will 
not a child in time of danger, ^distress, and suffering, look to its 
parents? Will not feelings of confidence, affection, and hope, animate 
and cheer its bosom, when he knows that parent is united to him 
by the ties of union, against the omnipotent power of Heaven ; and 
if he is a parent that deserves the name, he knows, he has wisdom, 
forbearance, justice, mercy, and honor; in every trial of difficulty 
and emergency, he bears a part, and all the united forces of wisdom 
— all the physical strength of united power — and all the resources 
that a power you would fain wield, with the hand of a Talleyrand ; 
but thank God, the scales are fallen from the People's eyes, and be 
assured you will soon fall like Lucifer, to rise no more. 

Where then, I again ask, was Mr. Van Buren, who now by de- 
ception, intrigue, and menial sycophancy, occupies the Chair of 
State ; at home in ease, revelling in luxury and licentiousness, while 
every true American and patriot, was actually engaged in pouring 
out their life's last precious drops in crimson deeds of blood. And 
think you, your ignoble soul can long humbug this wise nation ? 
You should in time of peril, shoulder your musket and hie you to 
the Indian prairie, and boldly meet the Indians yell, and dare his 
tomahawk. If you had a patriot's soul you would have done so, 
then you might have had some small claim to your present situation: 
not to occupy it as you now do, by the recommendation and virtue 



14 

of another. You should have caught the patriot fire, the noble 
soul, before you aspired to be a statesman; but you have not the 
root of the matter in you— you lack the one thing needful, you 
want soul ; noble, expounding, true, firm, unwavering Jeffersonian 
principles. Let me point your low, contracted, pusillanimous mind 
as far back as the late Seminole War, there you will see a gallant 
band of patriots, (and many of them poor men,) which y6ur 
mercenary, selfish soul despises — you there see a band of true 
Americans, marching boldly on to subdue a savage foe. Yes, that 
gallant band, boldly volunteered, left all to contend with the Indians 
tomahawk and scalping-knife — they had to contend with a band of 
assassins^ — with midnight robbers, that were strangers to mercy 
and honor, that governs all honorable nations in war ; there fell 
many a long to be lamented hero ; many a beloved and cherished 
champion of liberty, was" cut down in a moment, as it were — many, 
whose bosom was the home of every thing that was good, great 
and noble ; there fell many a bright star from our different States, 
that would have, ere long, thrown their bright and refulgent rays 
in any or every department to which a grateful people might elevate 
them, and which only should be filled by such men as gather their 
laurels on the battle field. There fell theirnmortal Dade, the noble, 
great, and good' — there sleeps the brave son of Virginia, who has 
givCn birth to the greatest heroes, and statesman, and warriors, 
that were ever marshalled in the field; and equalled, if not surpassed, 
Demosthenes and Cicero in our Halls of Legislature. Yes, the 
sons of Virginia can boast of uniting goodness with greatness, un- 
wavering integrity of principle and purpose, with unequalled talents; 
with patriotic love of country, burning bright and pure at the altar 
of liberty— you will not find any of them menial sycophants, winding 
their way to ambition and power, by cunning hypocrisy, and bribe; 
No, they" gain their elevation by merit, by holiest means, by honor- 
able and noble motives and principles, they ascend, step by step; 
through their own native and entire worth, to every post oT honor 
they fill, till they arrive at the pinnacle of noble deeds, intelligent 
attraction, and burst like a meteor upon an astonished world: 
Such men as these five, and are cherished in the bosom of their 
country— they want no hired harbinger to puff their praise; then- 
worth is embalmed in deeds of blood, flowing for their country's 
right, and recorded in the history of our country, like lights in a 
dark and bewildered land. Such men as these, Mr. Van Buren, 
live, and thank God, may such' still live to preserve our country 
from tryanny, usurpation, and oppression, which on the present 
state of affairs portend. If power so long abused, is not checked 
in its polluted channel, and conducted into purer streams, We have 
men — home patriots — men who can guide the helm of State, with 
honor, safety, and the confidence of the people — men who would 
see a ray of light and love, upon the face of the people, that would 
diffuse and kindle to a flame, like the meridian sun, and hail them 



15 

as rulers of this nation, while you will be cold and dead to their 
interest and feeling; as Mahomet — you will remain like the snow 
on the Mount, that the rays of the sun can never warm. 

You, Mr. Van Buren, who have the honor to boast of being sent 
Ambassador to a foreign nation, who have exercised your talents 
on the floor of our Congress, who acted so conspicuous a part at 
the Hartford Convention, should not need to be told, that a person 
might hold a situation such as this, and yet be perfectly destitute 
of the qualifications such as those that are absolutely necessary for the 
President of the United States to possess. We want a President, dis- 
tinct from his cabinet, independent in thought, feeling, action ; one 
who has a great, good mind — a mind capable to exercise, profound, 
healthy, and honest measures, out of which the interest, prosperity, 
and advancement of this great nation, will grow and flourish like 
a green bay tree ; he should have a mind that was a memento to 
him, to which he could turn, like to a large book of inestimable 
treasures, in which each precious gem of truth is purified by expe- 
rience, wisdom — wisdom that can save a country from impending 
ruin, distress, and sufferings; not that dark cunning which you 
possess, which may pass with a few, for the wisdom of Solomon. 
As you are the bark that floats them with a gale of prosperity, to 
safety, ease and comfort — while the people won't ride the bark in 
their own strength, or sink ignobly beneath the storm of destruc- 
tion and ruin, you have cast around them, with no ray of escape. 
You have but a short time since taken command of the ship of state — 
you have hoisted the black flag ; spread a canvass of many colors ; 
thrown your magician anchor with a heavy splash into the treasure 
of the country, and aroused there, all the learned imps of the tribe 
of Lucifer, to put on their armor, sword in hand, man and guard 
well the ship, for promotion and high salaries await them : dark, 
nefarious counsel, stratagem, combination and intrigue. 

You are not striving for the glory, prosperity, and good of the 
people — you are striving against it, sword in hand — the cry is, give 
us gold, or else we die forthwith. Your specie circular went forth 
with all the horrors of want, destruction, starvation, loss of proper- 
ty, loss of life, loss of credit, loss of every thing that was dear to 
man, and indeed, woman too ; for where is the poor destitute 
widow and orphan, that has not felt the Van Buren scheme, that 
has swept over our land, with such devastation and misery? It 
has been more fatal and destructive, than the yellow fever or 
cholera, which has stalked amongst us with the scythe of death in 
its train, cutting down both great and small. Yet in every case 
there was hope, that perhaps e'er the dawn of the morrow's sun, 
some heavenly breeze would pass along with health and vigor in 
its course. Not so with the Van Buren plague — it came like the 
reckless hurricane, or rushing tornado, or exhausted the element of 
its fury ; it is rushing impetuously to the destruction of all around ; 
the firm and sturdy oak is made to feel the shock, if not uprooted 



16 

from its firm and sound foundation: the lonely lily, whose per- 
fume is borne along by each gentle zephyr, to mingle with its sister 
fragrance the rose, is crushed, withered, dead, beneath the pelting 
of the storm. 

So, Mr. Van Buren, what a whirlwind of woes has caused the 
innocent orphan to shed the bitter tear of blasted prospects, of 
blighted disappointment, and cast in an unexpected moment, upon 
a world, without fortune, friends, or employment: the bereaved 
widow, too, herself thrust out of employment, which was her only 
means to support a young family of beloved children — now, star- 
vation, and all the train of woes attendant on poverty, haunt her 
disconsolate dwelling; the venom of your measure, has stung, as 
well as entered the dwelling, blasted the prospects of the innocent 
and worthy, as well as those that have overtraded and lived too 
extravagantly, and deserve well the calamity that has come upon 
them, and then dare to look to the government of the United States 
for indulgence, sympathy or aid. Yes, your mandates have gone 
forth like the pestilential gale from the Upas tree, blighted and 
poisoned, and clothed in darkest gloom of disaffection, by your 
polluted and selfish influence. 

Stay, tyrant stay, let mercy touch thy heart, 

With justice, truth, and honor, act a noble part; 

Thy narrow soul, the people's good can't feel, 

They claim their rights, and have their rights they will. 

You should, Mr. Van Buren, have studied the American charac- 
ter, before you ascended the chair of state to govern them. You 
were born, as well as I can understand, somewhere in the Yankee 
states : then by birth, you are an American, but you are not an 
American patriot or warrior — your principles and measures are not 
of the genuine American stamp, especially that part of your message 
to Congress, that recommends a separation of government and 
people. Are the people to sustain and support a government by the 
sweat of their brow, and have hardly enough for their labor to furnish 
a comfortable living for their families, while the government, like 
the prodigal, with an overflowing treasury, revels in extrava- 
gance and luxury, wrung from the life's blood of the laboring 
poor 1 And then, you do not say the people's (but the government's) 
interest, welfare, and prosperity, is intimately connected with the 
banks, they aid and facilitate their commercial, foreign, and do- 
mestic transactions, with propriety and safety — they are the chan- 
nels through which this country has transacted business with honor 
to herself, and the approbation and respect of all nations. And 
now there is a new fangled doctrine brought out, to chop up and 
scatter to the four winds of heaven, the receptacles that are safe, 
necessary, and proper for all business transactions of men — they 
have been tried as it were by fire, and proved themselves of pure 
gold from the hand of the refiner. Now, Mr. Van Buren proposes, 
down with all banks, and we will have a sub-Treasury — we will 



17 

have a government bank : for in its hallowed vaults, nothing shall 
come that defileth and maketh ashamed. Gold, pure gold and 
silver will be the government currency, and the poor people will 
have to set soul and body to work, to put it there; and that is the 
last they see of it — they may hear it rattle in the office-holder's 
pocket. 

No sooner had the specie circular mounted the white horse, and 
flew with rapidity of the wind to earth's remotest shore, bearing in 
its speed, disappointment, chagrin, and wrath; and calling upon 
eveyy man to save himself, for the day of destruction, and desola- 
tion was at hand, for Mr. Van Buren was pouring out his vials of 
wrath upon the people. To meet such hateful, fiendish measures, 
these shin-plaster imps, marshal themselves in thick array, to meet 
their adversary, the specie circular, with sword in hand, and a 
bold determination to sustain the wants of the people, that they 
should not perish and sink beneath the edicts of such a tyrant. — 
They have boldly met the specie circular in the field, and have 
bravely acquitted themselves thus far, in supplying the immediate 
wanls of the people with small change, which your confused 
measures and high-handed monarchial policy has robbed them of. 
You first roused these shin-plaster ghosts from their non-existence, 
by banishing gold and silver to their hiding places, till you could 
accomplish the diabolical plot of a sub-Treasury, or rather a gov- 
ernment bank, where thieves could not break through and steal. 
You are the author and father of shin-plasters, and they will haunt 
you through your four year's reign, and attend you in retirement, 
where you will in vain call upon gold and silver to frighten and 
banish those shin-plasters that haunted the dawn of your adminis- 
tration, and will be handed to generations yet to come, as the first 
fruits of the profound wisdom, the sound policy, and pure demo- 
cratic principles of President Van Buren. You are opposed to 
any kind of paper that passes for money : indeed, you go so far as 
to say, it is not money : we all know it is not gold and silver, but 
it purchases as much, and as good articles, as gold and silver, 
among just and honest men. Though many office-holders want as 
much for their silver five cent piece, as a poor laboring man can 
get for twelve and a half cents in paper ; and if the rich, who hold 
all the gold and silver, has this advantage over the poor man, in 
the green tree, how will it be in the dry? If the sub-Treasury 
scheme had succeeded— if this long desired government bank could 
be accomplished, how would this President Nero oppress, and 
destroy, and exult in triumph, over the wretchedness and. sufferings 
he had brought upon the people, to bring them over to his views, 
measures, and laws ? You were ignorant of the American char- 
acter : they do not want a gold and silver banner waving over 
them, to make a free, independent, and happy people — their soil is 
too soft and fertile, to sustain such a ponderous banner — they have 
bought their independence with their life's blood — they disdained, 



18 

and threw off the fetters of a tyrant and despot, and an oppressive 
government of a foreign nation : and think you, they will suffer 
this roaring lion to destroy them on their own, their native soil? 
That they will dastardly yield to the monarchial government of 
Mr. Van Buren, and cringe beneath his iron sceptre and party 
measures ? No, they will never yield their dear bought rights, to 
the vain and delusive policy of a tyrant, abroad, nor at home. 
The blood of a thousand patriots and heroes, would speak from 
yonder plain, in crimsoned tides, and animate them to sustain their 
rights, their honor, — palsied be every American arm, and ex- 
tinguished forever that patriotic fire, kindled at the altar of our 
liberty and union. You have long flattered yourself with the pros- 
pect of being seated at the helm of affairs — all your politic ma- 
noeuvring and stratagems, all your turning about to the right and 
left, sounding the strength of the party that was most likely to 
elevate you to the goal of ambition, which your proud, aspiring 
soul panted for, was for the honor which the Chief Magistrate of 
the United States is encircled with ; the halo of glory that is pro- 
mised to illuminate and reward all his measures, and deliberations 
of policy and union: he is elevated to fill that station by the un- 
biassed, unbribed voice of the people, whose general good, prosper- 
ity, and honor, is the grand and unwavering principle that 
influences him, when he accepts the honor of so responsible a 
station ; to elevate with honor, and advance with equal right and 
justice this great nation, or clothe it with embarrassment, disgrace, 
and destruction. All this power is vested in the President of these 
United States, to exercise it as a wise parental friend, who adopts 
no measures, exercises no policy but for the general good : but if 
he abuse the power, and acts from low contracted party influence, 
he is no longer acknowledged by American patriots, as their lawful 
ruler, but a tyrant who would thwart their prosperity, and rob them 
of their dearest rights and privileges. 

You, with all the wily subtlety of the serpent, that betrayed our 
forefathers in the garden of Eden, coiled yourself around the affec- 
tion and interest of my venerable friend, your predecessor, whose 
heart was honest and true to his country, and his country's cause, 
suspected no deception, but believed all your sycophancy and flat- 
tery shadowed forth ; but time, situation, circumstance, were only 
necessary to bring out the hidden monster, as one he had cherish- 
ed, as one eminently qualified, as he hoped and believed, to put his 
shoulder to the wheel, Hercules like, and carry the-ship of state in 
triumph and honor through the clouds of storm and tempest, that 
threatened her gallant, course, when he resigned to your pledge of 
faith, her prosperity and welfare. Ah ! and what have you seen, 
what have we heard 1 Short has been the sun of your administra- 
tion, for darkness, gross darkness, has dimmed its brightness for 
such measures as you propose, and such policy as you would 
adopt, are such that the bright orb of heaven would veil itself in 



19 

gloom, and stand still, amazed in grief, at the wrongs and oppres- 
sion of the people; a people who look too much to Government. To 
whom then must they look? The People has not robbed the 
Government, but the Government has trampled on the rights of the 
People : they form and sustain the Government by the sweat of 
their brow, in luxury, ease, and extravagance; and then in time of 
distress and difficulty, they must not dare to look to Government 
for lenity or suffrage, but look to themselves, and exercise all their 
own wisdom and ingenuity, to extricate them from the difficulties 
and embarrassments brought on them by the harsh measures of the 
administration, to which they dare not look. Let the People look 
away from- the Government — let the Government and People be 
distinct, in interest, separate in Union, hostile to men and measures 
— what would be the state of things in this country in a few years? 
This country, the home of every blessing, calculated to constitute 
the happiness and comfort of a wise, enlightened, and intelligent 
People — blessings which every American does, or ought to appre- 
ciate, for they give us a superiority over every nation on earth. 
True, there are some evils to mar and deface its beauty, tranquility, 
and peace ; some demons in human form, destitute of soul, enlight- 
ened by wisdom from on High ; midnight assassins, who boldly aim 
deadly poisoned arrows at our dearest rights, our domestic peace, 
our prosperity, our life; who by their fiendish doctrine, would infuse 
dissatisfaction, rebellion, and death, into the hearts of our domestics, 
our friends, our children. The Abolitionist is this monster, the 
demon of darkness, the prince of wickedness in high places, who for 
their own aggrandizement and ease, would dare trample on the 
rights of others, involve our happy land in turmoil, blood-shed, and 
death ; throw fire-brands in our Halls of Legislatures, where peace, 
harmony, and love, should preside, to check and throw around their 
heavenly influence, to soft:n and control every emotion that might 
arise, to agitate the mind of those convened for the good of the 
nation, its prosperity, its honor, and advancement — not to lay those 
high considerations aside neglected; and to all their wisdom and 
energy, to determine what is best for the negro population, whether 
they shall be free, right or wrong, or remain as God intended 
them. 1 would direct the Abolitionist to Pandora's box, to determine 
the case. Our wise men have not time or talent for such chaff 
subjects. 

They are, they say, contending for the liberty of their colored 
brethren. Then, they would wound and slay their white brethren 
to free the person of color; for if the soul's salvation is the object, 
the negro being in bonds, is no bar to his soul— being saved by 
grace, Christ is the Saviour of all, whether bond or free : he is no 
respecter to persons. While on earth, he preached salvation to all 
men — He is the sum and substance of pure religion — he recognized 
bond-servants in many of his discourses, for he exhorts servants to 
be obedient to their masters, with singleness of heart, not with eve 



20 

service, for in the discharge of their faithful duty to their master on 
earth, they would receive the reward of their Master in Heaven. 
So the Bible urges obedience from servants to their earthly master; 
and the Abolitionist urges disobedience and unlawful measures, to 
sever the bond formed by the Lord of heaven and earth. The 
Abolitionist understands not the mind and will of God on this subject. 
Their views are not drawn from an enlightened investigation of the 
word of truth — it is the doctrine of Belzebub, the prince of dark- 
ness. I defy any one to produce a word in the New Testament, 
(and I know they cannot in the Old,) uttered by our Saviour or any 
of his Apostles, that shadowed forth the slightest exhortation to 
masters to free their servants, lawfully in their possession. And 
surely, if in the view of Deity, the sin was so heinous, he would 
have warned them of their danger, for he made the way of salva- 
tion so plain to the unlettered, as well as learned, that all are left 
without excuse ; and a way-faring man, though a fool, shall not err 
therein. We now, only take the Bible in its simplicity and truth, to 
prove the Abolitionists are acting from the dark phantoms of their 
sickly imagination ; and they in the righteous day of judgment, 
will have more sin to answer for, than the kind protector and 
master, who only retains in possession what is his just right to hold, 
without any fraudulent injury to his neighbor, and tacitly sanctioned 
bythe Saviour. 

I should like to know where the Abolitionist got this quiet and sound 
doctrine from ; the doctrine is not even civil, much less of heavenly 
orign, for surely in small cases it is not right and juste, for us to favor 
one individual, at the loss and injury of another, though it may be 
often practised. God has revealed his will to all men ; and this is his 
will concerning you Abolitionists, that you live in peace with 
all men, and follow after holiness, without which, no man 
shall see the Lord : and if you suffer as a Christian, not as an 
evil doer, a busy body in other men's matters. What good has 
the Abolitionist done ? If any, at whose expense ? Not their 
own, for the community cannot produce such a cold-hearted, 
narrow-minded, selfish set, as they are collectively and individually 
— their bosoms are strangers to any of the heavenly graces ; for 
did they bear the image of the Saviour, the fruits of the spirit would 
be apparent in all their conduct and conversation : their spirit is 
grieved at the oppression and bonds of the negro population. Is 
that the sum and substance of their religion? Have they ever 
obeyed the commands of God as revealed in the Bible, for he has 
not commanded them to go about doing mischief with fire-brands 
in their hands, sowing discord and rebellion in families, communi- 
ties, and states. The Christian is commanded to go about doing 
good, to visit the friendless, the forlorn, the widow, and fatherless; 
to bind up the broken heart, and pour in the oil of gladness, consola- 
tion, and comfort. Are there not more objects to excite and bring 



21 

into active exercise, their benevolence ? That they should thus 
boldy venture their influence to elevate the negro, and promote the 
rights , the superiority of the whites over them, as the object they 
have in view, to place the negro, in any light whatever, on an 
equality with the white, I disdain to meet them on that ground, its 
too low, degraded a position for any white man or woman to take, 
that has any moral powers to consult the belief; that a negro is on 
an equality with the whites, originated and was brought by some 
mean, low, degraded being, who desired popularity, gain, or power, 
and was to contemptible to obtain it in an honorable course ; there- 
fore, on that point, I leave the Abolitionist with his colored brethren, 
to grapple their way, over quick-sands, bog-mires, deep pits, and 
all the horrible senees that the prince of darkness can wind around 
them. 

Again they say a white man has no right to hold a colored per- 
son in bondage, and receive his labor, without a compensation. I 
ask, does the servant receive " no reward?" Who clothes and 
feeds him ; who furnishes him a comfortable home — takes care of 
him in sickness and health? The master. And is this no com- 
pensation for the negro's services? And is this goodness and pro- 
tection of a master, a bar to the negro's soul's salvation ? Oh 
Abolitionist, I blush for your ignorance and folly, at your dark ! 
unhallowed views of the Deity, who holds the universe in the hollow 
of his hand — who spoke this wonderful world into existence, without 
aid or council of any one — who as Lord of heaven and earth — 
who governs in the army of heaven, and among the children of 
man; who rides upon the whirlwind, and directs the storm; who 
embraces at one glance, the monarch upon his throne, and the 
lonely lily in the vale ; who scans the thought of man ere it is for- 
med, or brought into action ; who sits the judge of motives as well 
as actions, and will judge every one according to his work, whether 
it be good or bad : and in that day of general retribution, we shall 
have to answer for ourselves, and not for another. So the 
Abolitionist will not have to answer for the slave or the master, but 
to his own master he will stand or fall. And this is the being, the 
Abolitionist, presumes to say, who has authorised him to meddle 
with master and servant ; this universal King ; this self-existent, 
independent, eternal I am, should need the aid of this short sighted 
mortals, to carry out his mind and will, concerning the master and 
his landed servant. I see more oppression and cruelty exercised 
towards the whites, who are destitute and dependent on the weal- 
thy. The most worthless, lazy, idle, and impertinent colored 
persons in the District of Columbia, live in ease and comfort: and 
many poor whites I see daily toiling, for barely enough to sustain a 
helpless family; and this is the place where petition after petition 
is sent, to free those that are in bonds. But thank God, he has 
stopped them in their frantic career for the present — it was the 
interposition of a merciful God, who put a check to their wayward 



22 

course, who says to the rushing wave, thus far shalt thou go and no 
farther — here shall thy proud waves be stayed. If they have such 
a restless spirit to meddle with other persons business, let them tu n 
their attention to some good object, not one fraught with untold 
mischief: they had better petition Congress to force all the lazy, 
worthless, colored brethren of theirs in the Di strict, to go to work 
and earn an honest living, for which purpose they were designed by 
the law-giver and ruler of heaven and earth ; not to encumber our 
avenue, day after day, in idleness and impertinence, dressed in the 
best, and no visible exertion how it is procured. There is another 
portion of them a tax upon the people : for disorderly conduct, there 
are the free colored brethren — the Abolitionist cherished the pecu- 
liar objects of their solicitude and sympathy. They are not in 
bonds. Why are they not saved ? There is no master in the way 
of their salvation. I expect they will find, ere long, the Abolitionist 
does them more harm than good, both to soul and body. It is a 
great mystery to me, why they are so full of interest, solicitude, 
sympathy, and grief, at the condition of their colored brethren, (they 
love them no better for it, but would give them ingratitude for their 
reward,) when there is so large a portion of the white population, 
whose condition, both spiritual and temporal, is far worse : they 
are formed by their Maker for hard laborious exertion — they can 
accomplish their round of duty, and not sink beneath the exercise; 
(but they often do through laziness.) The natural constitution of 
the whites is more delicate; but in their great exertion beyond ther 
strength they often fall a victim to the pelting blast of adverse for- 
tune. I hear no abolition sympathy for them, no spirit grieved at 
their burden, their groans, and flowing tears — no petition to 
Congress to aid the forlorn, destitute widow, and friendless orphan : 
and peradventure, should the poor friendless orphan be pinched by 
cold and hunger, dare to ask a morsel at the door of these hard- 
hearted abolitionists, their colored brethren, one of these pampered 
menials are directed to order them from the door, that they had 
nothing for them, and to come no more, or they should be sent to 
the alms-house. Here are daily occurrences of this in Washington, 
as well as in other places, for the same feelings govern them where- 
ever they are. 

There are some facts come to my kuowledge, which took place 
in the city of Washington, which will prove the hostility of their 
hearts to every kind benevolent feeling; and are tyrannical and 
persecuting in their proceeding to the poor, destitute and friend- 
less, those who deserve their sympathy, aid, and kind attention. 

I have thus given a faint sketch of the good fruit of these kind- 
hearted abolitionists, toward their colored friends, at the peril of 
the peace and well-fare of society. They can trample on the peace, 
rights, and offspring of the destitute poor and friendless, and say 
they are doing the will of God, while they are going about like 
a roaring lion, seeking whom they may destroy. May God of all 



23 

mercy and long forbearance, touch their hearts with a live coal 
from his altar, and enable them to understand his revealed will 
concerning the soul's salvation, and their duty to their fellow man. 
He does not require them to do what he has not made plain to all 
in his written word, which they should take as the man of their 
counsel, and a lamp to guide them out of the labyrinth of perplexities 
in which they are involved, and would fain involve our once 
peaceful land. 

I have also but feebly given some of the great reasons why our 
beloved country, is at this moment surrounded with difficulties, 
embarrassments, sufferings, and distress, at every point we turn. 
Mr. Van Buren, with his short-sighted, narrow, contracted, party 
measures and interest, has thrown one broad sheet of dismay and 
ruin far and wide, had he paused, condemned virtue, softened by the 
feelings of sympathy and brotherly love for his countrymen, and the 
honor and prosperity of his country, parmount to every minor consid- 
eration of self and party advancement, we should now be enjoying 
the bleessings, growing out of a Government, wise and deliberate in 
its counsels, pure and impartial in its measures toward a free and 
sovereign people ; but as I think, he is the scourge in the hand of 
the Lord to this country, to prove to the sons and daughters of 
America, that they have not, at all times, estimated the privileges 
and blessings of this favored land as they should have done, and 
returned unfeigned thanks and obedience to God, the author and 
dispenser of all national blessings, as well as individual comforts, 
spiritual and temporal. And as it is only by comparison, that man 
is happy or miserable, so we may look forward to a more glorious 
era of things — a bright day not far distant — then we can look 
back to 1837 as the year lhat tried men's souls, in which the 
American character was tried, [Martin Van Buren's administra- 
tion,] and I have no fears but they will come out refined and puri- 
fied, by their present distress, sufferings, and loss, like the pure gold 
tried seven times seven ; and the language of every honest heart 
will be, shall I love Martin Van Buren more than my country, or 
my country less, and this Ccesar more. Yes, I fondly hope, this 
dark cloudy morn of your four years career will rapidly roll on, 
swift as the wing of time can push it from the stage of political 
action, and Oh ! that I could say from the records of history : but 
alas! there it will ever be a black stain on the American's rights, 
honor and glory. But the day is not far distant, when we shall, 
with the blessing of heaven, redeem, through the sound wisdom of 
Henry Clay, what we have lost by Martin Van Buren. I fell, if 
I understand the people aright, that Henry Clay is the choice of 
their wisdom and judgment — the bright star of the West, that will 
guide this distressed nation, once more to prosperity, union, peace, 
concord, and its wonted dignity among other nations. Should the 
people be wise in time, and profit by past experience, and set their 
face as a flint, to the assumption of any man to the Presidential 



24 

Chair, through the Treasury of the United States, which was ex- 
hausted, I might say, to elevate you to so conspicious a post of honor 
and responsibility, which my venerable friend, your predecessor, 
nominated you to fill his place, and tread in his footsteps, (blind, 
unwise, partiality.) All the gold and silver of the United States 
Treasury was put in motion, to sustain you, over superiors in the 
contest, which if left to stand or fall, by true honor and qualifications, 
necessary to fill the station, would have left you far behind in 
chagrin and disappointment. But Mr. Clay, your opponent and 
superior in every thing, except in the command of the United 
States Treasury, which he would disdain to use for his advancement 
to any post of honor. No he must be placed there by the voice of 
the People, not by the Government purse, which was so exhausted 
in your elevation, that it very soon after proved a bankrupt, and una- 
ble to pay its just and honest debts. Mr. Clay never aspired to the 
Presidental Chair, not for the honor of that station — he wished to ho- 
nour the situation by evincing his patriotic love of country, the whole 
country, not a part ; he is now a statesman, firm in purpose, wise, 
profound, and deliberate in all his measures — he should be ap- 
preciated and cherished as one of the brightest, purest orbs in our 
po itical hemisphere ; and I hope he is destined to break the Van 
Buren enchantment, with the few in number, comparatively speaking 
to what they were eight months ago, to dissolve and banish forever 
from our councils, every vestige of Van Buren witchcraft, and 
build up the ravages and waste places he has made, and erect a 
standard of equal rights, general good, equal prosperity, the reward 
of the poor as well as rich. Then would the laurel, rich and green, 
demand its right to entwine around the brow of him, the greatest 
among men, H. Clay, the People's choice, the Nation's friend. 

LUCY KENNEY.< 



Come listen all ye democrats, 
From Charlestown to Lake Huron 4 

While I relate some facts to you, 
About Kendal and Van Buren. 

Van Buren is not the poor man's friend, 

I'm sure he does despise him; 
For he a scheme once did try, 

By which to disfranchise him. 

The people in convention met, 
To change their constitution, 
And there the magician introduced, 
His famous resolution. 

That no white man should have a vote, 
That had not gold and treasure, 

But luckily his friends were few, 
That would support his measure. 

In York the Darkies crowd the polls, 

Their pole-cat steam emitting; 
And Massa Van 's the only man 

Their every votes are getting. 

Stand back poor white folks Sambo cries, 

We darkies have de rhino ; 
And Cuffee swears he'll dance a waltz! 

If Martin will play de Banjo. 

Now Martin has boarded the ship of State, 

But if he should slip his cable, 
Col. Johnson takes command, 

For he's a man that's fully able. 

Then Honest Amos, Isaac Hill, 

And sycophantic Blair, 
Will sing out Martin's funeral dirge, 

With infinite despair. 

The royal mandate once went forth, 
The general named his successor, 

You must submit to be transferred, 
Or you are a vile transgressor. 

Come poor, come rich, 

Come white, come black, 
Come illiterate and scholar, 

When you entered the polls and voted for Van, 
You only rivetted your collars. \ 






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